Category: Eat The Rich

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It's Walmart Again, Boys

Walmart Brands (It's Not Just The Big Blue Store)

Sam's Choice

Sam's Choice is a widely recognized retail brand, owned by Walmart, founded in 1991 and named after the founder of Walmart, Sam Walton. The innovative two-tiered core corporate grocery branding strategy offers customers both premium quality products such as Sam's Choice, as well as discount-priced staples under the Great Value brand.

Great Value

Great Value is the brand owned by Walmart, which was created in 1993, but products were made as early as 1992. It is part of Walmart's grocery branding strategy, acting as the second tier or national brand equivalent (NBE). With Great Value, customers receive quality products at an affordable price.

Equate

Equate is a leading brand of products stocked by Walmart, offering a broad range of health, beauty, and general consumer goods. Their range of products includes everything from shaving cream and skin lotion to over-the-counter medications and pregnancy tests, providing customers with a one stop shop for all their needs.

Mainstays

Mainstays is a brand owned by Walmart that offers a variety of home goods, from bedding to kitchen utensils and ready-to-assemble furniture. This brand is part of the larger Better Homes & Gardens brand that features further home decor, furniture, and other items

Ol' Roy

Ol' Roy is Walmart's store brand of dog food, created in 1983 and named after Sam Walton's dog. It has become the number-one selling brand of dog food in the United States. It is comparable to Nestlé's Purina.

Special Kitty

Special Kitty is the store brand from Walmart that cat owners trust for their pet's needs. With a variety of cat food formulas and other cat care items, such as litter and treats, Special Kitty provides great value and quality to help keep cats happy and healthy.

Parent's Choice

Parent's Choice is Walmart's store brand that offers a variety of items, such as diapers, formula, and accessories. This brand has undergone a recent relaunch of its design and packaging in 2010. Parent's Choice products are produced by Wyeth which is owned by Pfizer. With high-quality and affordable options, Parent's Choice provides parents with the necessary items for taking care of their children.

Play Day

Play Day, the brand owned by Walmart, is a wide-ranging collection of budget-priced children's toys. Launching between mid-2014 and early-2015, it replaced Kid Connection as the go-to store for parents looking for quality yet affordable toys for their kids.

Pen+Gear

Pen+Gear is a store brand owned by Walmart that focuses on school and office supplies. They provide everything from pens and paper to paper shredders and binders, and their product range replaced the Casemate brand in 2016. Whatever your workspace or classroom needs, Pen+Gear has you covered.

Better Homes and Gardens

Better Homes and Gardens is the product line owned by Walmart, which is inspired from their popular magazine. It has a wide range of products such as furniture, kitchen products, bedding, curtains and window blinds, decor, and other home products. It also forms the premium tier to the Mainstay home brand.

Hometrends

Hometrends is a brand owned by Walmart specializing in providing customers with small furniture, tableware, and various home decor accessories like rugs and faux plants. Unfortunately, the brand has been discontinued in the US market.

Mainstays Kids

Mainstays Kids is a brand owned by Walmart that specializes in offering furniture sets for kids and teens. Their products are designed to be comfortable, stylish, and durable, allowing them to be enjoyed for years.

Your Zone

Your Zone is a brand owned by Walmart, offering a home product line that caters to teenagers and college students. Known for its appealing and stylish designs, Your Zone provides a variety of affordable items such as bedding sets, storage solutions, furniture, décor and more

Adventure Force

Adventure Force is a brand owned by Walmart that offers an exciting selection of outdoor toys, perfect for summertime fun. From water arms to water blaster guns, Adventure Force has everything you need to make the most of your outdoor adventures.

Allswell

Allswell is a pioneering brand owned by Walmart, offering luxury bedding and mattresses to customers direct to consumer. Their products combine innovative technology with the highest quality materials to provide superior comfort, support, and affordability.

AutoDrive

AutoDrive is an automobile care and accessories brand owned by Walmart that provides solutions for all your needs on the road. They have a wide variety of car care products, auto detailing products, interior accessories and some low price exterior accessories such as license plate frames to make your car look its best. Whether you are looking to take preventative maintenance measures or enhance the aesthetic appeal of your vehicle, AutoDrive can help you achieve your desired results.

Best Occasions

Best Occasions is a brand owned by Walmart that offers a wide selection of party decorations and accessories, such as candles and hats. With high quality products at an affordable price, Best Occasions is the perfect choice for all your party needs.

Bike Shop

Bike Shop is a brand established by Walmart and specialized in bicycle tires, tubes, and accessories. They offer high quality products, great prices, and reliable customer service to meet the needs of those looking for quality bike-related items.

Clear American

Clear American is a brand owned by Walmart, specializing in carbonated and flavored water. It was formerly known as Sam's Choice Clear American. With its selection of bubbly beverages and thirst-quenching flavors, Clear American is the perfect choice for anyone looking for a tasty and refreshing treat.

Co Squared

Co Squared is an innovative cosmetics brand owned by Walmart that is sold exclusively direct-to-consumer.

ColorPlace

ColorPlace is a brand owned by Walmart that specializes in providing high-quality paint and painting tools. The paint itself is produced by PPG, a well-known leader in the industry. ColorPlace has a long history of producing excellent products for both residential and commercial needs, making it an ideal choice for any kind of painting project.

Douglas

Douglas is a brand owned by Walmart that offers budget priced tires. Among its models are the Xtra-Trac and Touring, which are made in a Goodyear plant.

Earth Spirit

Earth Spirit provides comfortable, trendy shoes. Their shoes are made with quality materials and are backed by the power of Walmart.

EverStart

EverStart is the Walmart owned brand for automotive and lawn mower batteries, boasting quality and durable battery-related accessories such as jumper cables. Manufactured by Johnson Controls Inc., with primary production based in Saint Joseph, Missouri, and Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Expert Grill

"Expert Grill" is a brand owned by Walmart, offering an extensive range of grills, charcoal and grilling accessories to help you create delicious outdoor meals.

Fire Side Gourmet

Fire Side Gourmet is a brand that is owned by Walmart and specializes in pre-cooked burgers and steaks. Previously, these products were under the Sam's Choice label but now they have been rebranded as Fire Side Gourmet.

Gold's Gym

Gold's Gym is a brand owned by Walmart, which specializes in athletic and exercise equipment such as weights. The name of the brand is derived from and licensed by the chain of fitness centers founded in 1965 by Joe Gold. Gold's Gym has become an iconic symbol associated with strength and health over the years, and its products strive to help individuals achieve their own fitness goals.

Hart

Hart, the brand owned by Walmart, offers a wide variety of power tools and outdoor power equipment that are designed to help you complete projects quickly and easily.

Holiday Time

Holiday Time is the perfect brand for all of your Christmas needs. Owned by Walmart, Holiday Time offers a wide range of Christmas items from Christmas trees to decorations and special wrapping paper, so you'll be sure to find the perfect way to decorate for the holiday season.

Home Bake Value

Home Bake Value, owned by Walmart, is a brand that focuses on providing bread products of the highest quality. Its primary focus is on crafting products that contain the optimum balance of nutrients and taste, enabling customers to enjoy the experience of homemade baking without the hassle. Whether it be their signature, freshly-made loaves, baguettes, rolls, or any other tasty treats, Home Bake Value is the perfect choice for anyone looking for delicious, affordable bakery goods.

Hyper Tough

Hyper Tough is a Walmart-owned brand that offers a wide range of hand tools, hardware and storage, as well as some power tools, although the power tool lineup is gradually being replaced by Hart.

Kid Connection

Kid Connection, owned by Walmart, is a brand that is primarily used for children's toys. However, it also includes children's clothing and shoes to meet the needs of the entire family. With quality products from trusted brands, Kids Connection has become a go-to destination for parents and children alike.

Marketside

Marketside is a brand owned by Walmart and specializes in fresh foods, such as salads, soups, breads, and sandwiches, which can be found in various Walmart's deli, produce, and bakery departments. With Marketside, you can enjoy the convenience and quality of grocery items available at Walmart at an unbeatable value.

Mash-Up Coffee

Mash-Up Coffee, owned by Walmart, is the go-to provider for luxury coffee beans. Their products are made with the highest quality beans and are expertly crafted to provide a unique flavor that will tantalize your taste buds. So if you're looking for an amazing cup of coffee, Mash-Up Coffee is the perfect choice.

Motile

Motile, the brand owned by Walmart, has a wide variety of products ranging from laptops to miscellaneous tech and tech accessories.

Oak Leaf

Oak Leaf is a brand owned by Walmart, which produces and bottles low-cost wines for approximately $3 per bottle. With its affordable price, Oak Leaf has become a popular choice for those looking for an enjoyable bottle of wine without breaking the bank.

Onn

Onn is a brand owned by Walmart that offers a variety of consumer electronics, computer accessories, audio/visual accessories, and phone/tablet accessories.

Our Finest/Notre Excellence

Our Finest/Notre Excellence is a brand of upscale chip, cookie, frozen dinner and more products that are owned by Walmart and exclusively sold in Canada. It's comparable to World Table and all the products produced under this brand are made in Canada just for Walmart Canada customers.

Overpowered

Overpowered, owned by Walmart, is a brand offering pre-built gaming desktops and laptops. Whether you're a beginner or a pro, Overpowered has something for all levels of gamers.

Ozark Trail

Ozark Trail is a brand owned by Walmart, specializing in outdoor equipment and footwear. Its origins are deeply rooted in the Ozark mountain region in northwest Arkansas where the Walmart Home Office is located. Thus, Ozark Trail provides consumers with reliable, quality products made with the knowledge of the region ingrained in their making.

Price First/Prix Budget

Price First/Prix Budget, owned by Walmart, is the brand for all your entry-level everyday needs. It provides products similar to those from Walmart's Great Value line, but at an even lower price point.

Protege

Protege is a Walmart-owned brand offering luggage and travel accessories for a great value. Featuring a range of products including carry ons, wheeled luggage, and a variety of other items, Protege provides travelers with top-notch luggage and travel accessories, all at an affordable price.

ReliOn

ReliOn, owned by Walmart, is a well-known brand that specializes in diabetes care products. Their range of products include blood glucose and blood pressure monitors, medical thermometers, portable humidifiers and replacement filters for both ReliOn and name brand humidifiers.

Spark Imagine

Spark Imagine is the perfect choice for parents looking for simple, high-quality children's toys. Owned by Walmart with comparable features to Melissa and Doug, you can be sure that Spark Imagine toys will bring hours of fun and delight.

SuperTech

Walmart owns the SuperTech brand for motor oil, which is suitable for both gasoline and diesel engines. Additionally, the SuperTech brand is used on various other consumable car products, like oil filters, windshield wiper fluid, and transmission fluid.

Tasty

Walmart, in partnership with BuzzFeed, launched Tasty, a brand of kitchen tools. Furthermore, they introduced shoppable recipes connected to the Tasty cooking videos on BuzzFeed, allowing customers to easily purchase the ingredients seen in the videos.

The Office

Walmart owns the Office brand, which provides office supplies and stationery.

Uniquely J

Jet.com, a rapidly expanding e-commerce enterprise owned by Walmart, has debuted its "meticulously assembled" Uniquely J selection, which consists of 50 items including coffee, cleaning supplies, laundry products, pantry items, paper goods, and food storage products.

Walmart Family Mobile

Walmart Family Mobile is the only prepaid mobile phone service available from Walmart, and it utilizes the T-Mobile cellular network.

World Table

Walmart's exclusive World Table brand offers higher-end versions of items such as salsa, pizza, chips, cookies, etc., compared to Great Value.

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The Leopards Are Coming For Their Faces Eventually

From Steven Hackett:

Corruption Is Winning

On Friday's episode of The Vergecast, there was an exchange that really caught my attention. David Pierce mentioned the photos of all the tech CEOs at Trump's inauguration in January, to which Nilay Patel replied:

The thing that kills me at that is the expectation they had going into that photo was corruption. Right? Tim Cook is going to personally donate a million dollars to Trump's library and that will take the DOJ case away from Apple. Naked corruption. That is a nakedly corrupt thought.

That's fine in the sense that a lot of people believe the government is corrupt, and so Trump being even more corrupt does not offend them. But it's not fine in the sense that like even when we were covering the Google case today, people on Bluesky were replying to me being like, "they'll just buy him off." What? That means that the system is collapsed. Like you don't believe in it anymore. And maybe you didn't before, but the level to which we have accepted that just naked corruption is how this works is a little more dangerous than I think people are giving it credit for.

If you believe that Google can be like, ah, screw it, write them a check and it'll go away. Maybe you don't think that's right, but you think that is possible, it's gone. You have to not believe that's possible. You have to actually hold everybody to account and say, actually, that's corruption. […] If you give into nihilism that the corruption is already won, you've just given in. You should not feel helpless; you should feel outraged that the expectation of that photograph was corruption.

I am sure if we were to poll the likes of Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, Sundar Pichai, Sergey Brin, and Tim Cook, they would say that they are just trying to find ways to work with this administration. With Trump, that means money. That collection of dudes doesn't like to think pay-for-play is a corrupting force, but it is.

None of this is new — just look at the army of paid lobbyists who make a living charging these companies a zillion dollars a year — but seeing it so nakedly (as Patel put it) is sobering. Tech CEOs may think they are doing what's in the best interest of their companies and shareholders, but their actions do the rest of us — and the country — a disservice. They may be able to get what they want out of Trump (for now, at least) by writing checks and putting on a show, but the leopards are coming for their faces eventually.

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It's General Mills This Week, Boys

General Mills Companies

Annie's

Now available at more than 35,000 locations, Annie's started with macaroni and cheese products sold from the back of a car in 1989. In 2014, General Mills acquired Annie's for approximately $820 million. Outreach projects include agricultural scholarships, Grants for Gardens, and diverse donation initiatives.

Autumn's Gold

Autumn's Gold makes paleo-certified, grain-free granola products and is considered by some to be a "stealth small brand," made to look small while being owned by something very big.

Betty Crocker

The "First Lady of Food" has enjoyed more than 100 years in the business, which surprisingly began with a 1921 Gold Medal Flour ad and mail-in pincushion promotion.

In 1921, around 30,000 letters arrived, many with cooking questions. Over the next few decades, the partially fictional Betty Crocker persona received a name, voice, face, test kitchens, radio and TV shows, consumer products, and a loyal following.

Today, Betty Crocker is worth an estimated $8.1 billion.

Bisquick

A staple of American pantries for nearly a century, the Bisquick formulation was discovered aboard a train car in 1930.

After missing dinner, one hungry General Mills salesman received a plate of biscuits from the train chef, who promptly whipped them up using his pre-mixed lard, baking powder, flour, and salt. From there, Bisquick was born.

Blue Buffalo

General Mills company acquired pet food purveyors Blue Buffalo in 2018 for $8 billion. Founded in 2002 and inspired by a beloved Airedale named Blue, Blue Buffalo humanizes pets by creating conscientious, natural treats.

General Mills' pet segment generated $2.3 billion in sales in 2022.

Bugles

In the mid-1960s, Bugles and two forgotten chips — tube-and-scoop shaped chips — began General Mills' snacking journey. According to Statista, of 38 million Americans surveyed, more than 21 million consumed 1-3 bags of Bugles in the past 30 days.

Fun fact: Their disappearance in Canada has left many Bugles fans scrambling for replacements.

Cascadian Farm

The seed for Cascadian Farm was planted in 1972 in the Cascade Mountains of Washington. The first crops were grown by volunteers and sold from the back of a VW.

Since its founding, the brand has practiced mindful farming. In 2022, the brand's granola bars had nearly $15 million in sales.

Cheerios

Cheerios has sold over 139 million boxes with an annual revenue of $436 million. Originally CheeriOats, the crunchy breakfast treat hit the scene in 1941 and was nominally shortened in 1945.

Honey Nut Cheerios, the nation's second-favorite cereal and third-best-selling at 129 million boxes, debuted in 1979 and brought in an annual revenue of $421.7 million.

Chex Cereal

General Mills agreed to buy Chex in 1996 to keep pace with rival Kellogg. Chex traces its lineage to 1937 and has become a scion of domestic snack mixes nationwide.

Chex Mix

Also, under the Chex umbrella, Chex Mix is owned by General Mills.

Cinnamon Toast Crunch

Cinnamon Toast Crunch is favored by kids and adults alike worldwide. Introduced in 1984, the cereal has sold 105 million boxes with an annual revenue of $344 million.

Cocoa Puffs

People have been going coo-coo for Cocoa Puffs for over 60 years. In fact, a survey from Statista found that 13 million people consumed 1-4 portions of the sweet treat over the last seven days.

Cookie Crisp

Introduced in 1977, Cookie Crisp was acquired by General Mills in 1997. Cookie Crisp condenses big cookie flavor into a breakfast-table-topping treat.

Dunkaroos

A star among afterschool snackers nationwide, Dunkaroos debuted in 1990, vanished in 2012 (except in Canada), and were brought back in 2020. The recipe remained, but new flavors and cookie and pancake mixes, frosting, and even cereal were released.

EPIC

EPIC Provisions started in 2013 and produces animal-based protein snacks, such as bars and bites, to reduce emissions associated with raising beef. It was acquired by General Mills in 2016.

Fiber One

Fiber One is created for the nine in ten Americans who don't get enough fiber. It started as a cereal in 1985, but the introduction of bars, brownies, and other items supercharged the fiber-powered company.

Gardetto's

The Gardetto's culinary empire began in 1932 with a Milwaukee corner bakery. General Mills acquired the company in 1999, believing in the prolonged love for salty snacks. In fact, salty snacks are on the up after a pandemic slump, and Gardetto's had nearly $150 million in revenue in 2022.

Gold Medal

"Gold Medal" is bestowed upon the finest flour. And, given its birth as an accumulation of milling operations, it might be the most iconic brand under the General Mills umbrella. Surviving 19th-century censure, tech revolutions, and more, Gold Medal won best in show in its 1880 debut.

Golden Grahams

Honey-hued Golden Grahams were introduced in 1976 and boast 11 grams of whole grains per serving, a sprinkling of vitamins and minerals, and a lack of artificial flavors, colors, and high fructose corn syrup.

Good Measure

Launched by General Mills in 2021, Good Measure is a line of blood-sugar-friendly foods for a healthier lifestyle. They're rich in nutrients and low in glycemic impact, providing stress-free snacks for the 38 million people with diabetes.

Green Giant

The Green Giant brand started in 1903 as the Minnesota Valley Canning Company. The titular giant, inspired by a huge pea, appeared in 1925.

In 2015, behind lagging sales, B&G Foods acquired Green Giant and Le Sueur for $765 million. B&G recently sold a part of Green Giant to Seneca Food Corporation.

Häagen-Dazs

Started in 1960 by two Polish immigrants from the Bronx, Häagen-Dazs doesn't mean anything in any language. But it does mean big money, with 900 global locations and estimated annual revenue of $420.7 million.

Jus-Rol

Making food easier, frozen-dough distributor Jus-Rol was founded in 1954. It's suffering some turmoil in Europe; General Mills sold assets to the French company Cérélia, but UK regulators seek to undo the deal to restore market competition.

Kix

Kix was born during the Great Depression to boost sales, and it introduced something new: the first puffed corn cereal, made with an equally fresh invention, the puffing gun, a revolving steel barrel that heats and presses puffs into crispiness.

Larabar

LÄRABAR was born in 2000 to marry junk food flavor with natural ingredients. General Mills acquired the brand for about $55 million in 2008. Recently, LÄRABAR had $147 million in sales.

Latina Fresh

Latina Fresh is an Australian brand founded in Melbourne in the 1980s, producing pasta, sauce, and quick-and-easy chilled meals.

Liberté

Liberté, originally Liberty Dairy Products, was inspired by the Statue of Liberty and began in 1936 in Montreal as a kosher dairy-maker. The company started making yogurt in 1964 and became part of Yoplait in 2010 and General Mills in 2021.

Lucky Charms

A favorite among cereal lovers, Lucky Charms was formulated in 1964 with the goal of using an existing General Mills cereal as its base: Wheaties or Cheerios. The latter was chosen and then mixed with pieces of circus peanuts.

Lore-wise, each shape imbues the eater with specific powers.

Monster Cereals

The Monster Cereals debuted in the early 1970s on the coattails of monster-movie-mania. They were then uniquely flavored and available year-round but are now Halloween specials. The recent adoption of Carmella Creeper was the first addition in 35 years.

Muir Glen

In 2000, General Mills acquired the privately held Small Planet Foods, a leading organic food producer, along with its Muir Glen and Cascadian Farm brands. Muir Glen, founded in 1991, makes organic, sustainable canned tomatoes, pasta sauces, and salsa.

Nature Valley

A mainstay at convenience stores and in lunchboxes, the sweet, crumbly Nature Valley was created in 1973 to make granola convenient. It's the most popular granola bar in 2023, with sales valued at $667 million.

Old El Paso

After a strong tortilla year, Old El Paso enjoyed an annual revenue of $448.2 million this year, an increase of 10.1% from 2022.

Old El Paso is the child of the Mountain Pass Canning Company, founded in 1917, which launched the Mexican-food-inspired company in 1938.

Oui

General Mills solidified its yogurt profits by adding the artisanal Oui, a branch of Yoplait, in 2017.

The move was spurred by the past decade's shift toward Greek-style yogurts. Oui is cultured in individual glass jars atop a layer of fruit. Oui exceeded expectations by 30% and achieved a first-year revenue of $101.5 million.

Pillsbury

The doughy Pillsbury originated in 1869 in flour mills on the banks of the Mississippi River. In 2001, Diageo sold Pillsbury to General Mills for $10.5 billion. The acquisition of Pillsbury vaulted General Mills to the upper echelons of consumer packaged goods manufacturers, boosting its top line from $7.9 billion to $13.5 billion.

Pillsbury Atta

International and national audiences alike adore distinct, worldly flavors like Pillsbury Atta. Atta is an Indian flour, and this brand provides age-old tradition by using 100% whole wheat stone-ground grains offering extra protein, fiber, and minerals.

Progresso

Soup masters Progresso joined General Mills during the Pillsbury acquisition of 2001. Progresso was founded in the early 1990s, and by the '30s, it was famed for its tomatoes and tomato paste. By the '50s, it extended sales across the U.S. By the '80s, it became known for canned soups.

Raisin Nut Bran

Among the cereals aimed at adults, Raisin Nut Bran supplies 28 grams of whole grain per serving and heartiness for long-lived satiety.

Ratio Food

Another General Mills brand focused on healthier eating, Ratio has keto-friendly options, including yogurts, dairy drinks, bars, and granola.

Reese's Puffs

Reese's Puffs embraces modern maneuvering, including collaborations with various artists (one limited edition collab sold out in 30 seconds) and the design firm AMBUSH. Media partnerships have also encompassed an AR game and an AR music-making app.

Total

Who says cereal has to be super sugary? Nutritional totality is the founding philosophy behind Total, which provides 100% of the daily recommendation of 11 vitamins and minerals.

Totino's / Jeno's

In late 2022, Totino's pizza rolls became General Mills' ninth billion-dollar brand. Totino's began as a full-size pizzeria, established on a $1,500 loan. The mini-pizza giant was bought by Pillsbury for $20 million in 1975.

Trix

The tricolor Trix became the first fruit-flavored cereal when it debuted in 1954.

General Mills resurrected Trix's fruit shapes after abandoning them for a decade. The brand also revived Cinnamon Toast Crunch using a winning marketing tactic: nostalgia.

Wanchai Ferry

General Mills' global Chinese food brand was once a dumpling cart at a Hong Kong ferry pier in the late 1970s. In 2007, Wanchai Ferry dinner kits became General Mills' first intentional foray in the U.S. market.

Wheaties

The whole-grain, B-vitamin-laden Wheaties are General Mill's first modern cereal, released in 1921. Initially named Washburn's Whole Wheat Flakes, Wheaties are an accidental creation: wheat bran spilled into a hot oven and quickly crisped into toasty flakes.

Yoki

Yoki is a Brazilian alimentary company making over 600 food items across nine brands, including family-forward snack foods. It was founded in 1960 and then acquired for approximately $853 million in 2012 by General Mills.

Yoplait

Yogurt titan Yoplait is the union of six French dairy co-ops, which joined powers in 1965. History is hidden in the logo, with each co-op represented by a petal in the Yoplait flower.

Yoplait was sold by the Michigan Cottage Cheese company in 1976 and teamed up with General Mills in 1977. In 2021, Yoplait's annual sales were $927 million.

Does General Mills Own Any Other Companies or Brands?

Major offshoots include Gold Medal Ventures, the "disruptive innovation arm" of General Mills. It's focused on early-stage startup investments, pairing "deep market research with agile experimentation" and effecting growth equity for promising brands. The investment portfolio includes pet wellness, health foods, and sustainable industry practices.

Additionally, General Mills company announced a $15 million investment in 301 INC, its venture capital arm. The funding promotes racial and gender equality and equity in food entrepreneurship at the intersection of food, culture, and technology.

Who Are General Mills' Competitors?

General Mills and Kellogg have slugged it out in grocery stores worldwide, but General Mills is currently top dog. General Mills' market share is 34.2% with $3.1 billion in sales (+9.4% over last year) compared to Kellogg's 25.3% and $2.3 billion in sales (-5.2%).

Both companies, as well as rivals Quaker and proprietary store brands, saw a decrease in total unit sales in 2022. Only rival company Post Consumer Brands notched an increase in unit sales.

Other competitors include:

    • Nestlé*
    • Quaker Oats
    • Tyson Foods
    • Conagra Brands
    • Kraft Heinz Company

*subject to its own boycott

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It's Walmart/Sam's Club This Week, Boys

Walmart Brands (They're Not Just The Big Blue Store)

Sam's Choice

Sam's Choice is a widely recognized retail brand, owned by Walmart, founded in 1991 and named after the founder of Walmart, Sam Walton. The innovative two-tiered core corporate grocery branding strategy offers customers both premium quality products such as Sam's Choice, as well as discount-priced staples under the Great Value brand.

Great Value

Great Value is the brand owned by Walmart, which was created in 1993, but products were made as early as 1992. It is part of Walmart's grocery branding strategy, acting as the second tier or national brand equivalent (NBE). With Great Value, customers receive quality products at an affordable price.

Equate

Equate is a leading brand of products stocked by Walmart, offering a broad range of health, beauty, and general consumer goods. Their range of products includes everything from shaving cream and skin lotion to over-the-counter medications and pregnancy tests, providing customers with a one stop shop for all their needs.

Mainstays

Mainstays is a brand owned by Walmart that offers a variety of home goods, from bedding to kitchen utensils and ready-to-assemble furniture. This brand is part of the larger Better Homes & Gardens brand that features further home decor, furniture, and other items

Ol' Roy

Ol' Roy is Walmart's store brand of dog food, created in 1983 and named after Sam Walton's dog. It has become the number-one selling brand of dog food in the United States. It is comparable to Nestlé's Purina.

Special Kitty

Special Kitty is the store brand from Walmart that cat owners trust for their pet's needs. With a variety of cat food formulas and other cat care items, such as litter and treats, Special Kitty provides great value and quality to help keep cats happy and healthy.

Parent's Choice

Parent's Choice is Walmart's store brand that offers a variety of items, such as diapers, formula, and accessories. This brand has undergone a recent relaunch of its design and packaging in 2010. Parent's Choice products are produced by Wyeth which is owned by Pfizer. With high-quality and affordable options, Parent's Choice provides parents with the necessary items for taking care of their children.

Play Day

Play Day, the brand owned by Walmart, is a wide-ranging collection of budget-priced children's toys. Launching between mid-2014 and early-2015, it replaced Kid Connection as the go-to store for parents looking for quality yet affordable toys for their kids.

Pen+Gear

Pen+Gear is a store brand owned by Walmart that focuses on school and office supplies. They provide everything from pens and paper to paper shredders and binders, and their product range replaced the Casemate brand in 2016. Whatever your workspace or classroom needs, Pen+Gear has you covered.

Better Homes and Gardens

Better Homes and Gardens is the product line owned by Walmart, which is inspired from their popular magazine. It has a wide range of products such as furniture, kitchen products, bedding, curtains and window blinds, decor, and other home products. It also forms the premium tier to the Mainstay home brand.

Hometrends

Hometrends is a brand owned by Walmart specializing in providing customers with small furniture, tableware, and various home decor accessories like rugs and faux plants. Unfortunately, the brand has been discontinued in the US market.

Mainstays Kids

Mainstays Kids is a brand owned by Walmart that specializes in offering furniture sets for kids and teens. Their products are designed to be comfortable, stylish, and durable, allowing them to be enjoyed for years.

Your Zone

Your Zone is a brand owned by Walmart, offering a home product line that caters to teenagers and college students. Known for its appealing and stylish designs, Your Zone provides a variety of affordable items such as bedding sets, storage solutions, furniture, décor and more

Adventure Force

Adventure Force is a brand owned by Walmart that offers an exciting selection of outdoor toys, perfect for summertime fun. From water arms to water blaster guns, Adventure Force has everything you need to make the most of your outdoor adventures.

Allswell

Allswell is a pioneering brand owned by Walmart, offering luxury bedding and mattresses to customers direct to consumer. Their products combine innovative technology with the highest quality materials to provide superior comfort, support, and affordability.

AutoDrive

AutoDrive is an automobile care and accessories brand owned by Walmart that provides solutions for all your needs on the road. They have a wide variety of car care products, auto detailing products, interior accessories and some low price exterior accessories such as license plate frames to make your car look its best. Whether you are looking to take preventative maintenance measures or enhance the aesthetic appeal of your vehicle, AutoDrive can help you achieve your desired results.

Best Occasions

Best Occasions is a brand owned by Walmart that offers a wide selection of party decorations and accessories, such as candles and hats. With high quality products at an affordable price, Best Occasions is the perfect choice for all your party needs.

Bike Shop

Bike Shop is a brand established by Walmart and specialized in bicycle tires, tubes, and accessories. They offer high quality products, great prices, and reliable customer service to meet the needs of those looking for quality bike-related items.

Clear American

Clear American is a brand owned by Walmart, specializing in carbonated and flavored water. It was formerly known as Sam's Choice Clear American. With its selection of bubbly beverages and thirst-quenching flavors, Clear American is the perfect choice for anyone looking for a tasty and refreshing treat.

Co Squared

Co Squared is an innovative cosmetics brand owned by Walmart that is sold exclusively direct-to-consumer.

ColorPlace

ColorPlace is a brand owned by Walmart that specializes in providing high-quality paint and painting tools. The paint itself is produced by PPG, a well-known leader in the industry. ColorPlace has a long history of producing excellent products for both residential and commercial needs, making it an ideal choice for any kind of painting project.

Douglas

Douglas is a brand owned by Walmart that offers budget priced tires. Among its models are the Xtra-Trac and Touring, which are made in a Goodyear plant.

Earth Spirit

Earth Spirit provides comfortable, trendy shoes. Their shoes are made with quality materials and are backed by the power of Walmart.

EverStart

EverStart is the Walmart owned brand for automotive and lawn mower batteries, boasting quality and durable battery-related accessories such as jumper cables. Manufactured by Johnson Controls Inc., with primary production based in Saint Joseph, Missouri, and Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Expert Grill

"Expert Grill" is a brand owned by Walmart, offering an extensive range of grills, charcoal and grilling accessories to help you create delicious outdoor meals.

Fire Side Gourmet

Fire Side Gourmet is a brand that is owned by Walmart and specializes in pre-cooked burgers and steaks. Previously, these products were under the Sam's Choice label but now they have been rebranded as Fire Side Gourmet.

Gold's Gym

Gold's Gym is a brand owned by Walmart, which specializes in athletic and exercise equipment such as weights. The name of the brand is derived from and licensed by the chain of fitness centers founded in 1965 by Joe Gold. Gold's Gym has become an iconic symbol associated with strength and health over the years, and its products strive to help individuals achieve their own fitness goals.

Hart

Hart, the brand owned by Walmart, offers a wide variety of power tools and outdoor power equipment that are designed to help you complete projects quickly and easily.

Holiday Time

Holiday Time is the perfect brand for all of your Christmas needs. Owned by Walmart, Holiday Time offers a wide range of Christmas items from Christmas trees to decorations and special wrapping paper, so you'll be sure to find the perfect way to decorate for the holiday season.

Home Bake Value

Home Bake Value, owned by Walmart, is a brand that focuses on providing bread products of the highest quality. Its primary focus is on crafting products that contain the optimum balance of nutrients and taste, enabling customers to enjoy the experience of homemade baking without the hassle. Whether it be their signature, freshly-made loaves, baguettes, rolls, or any other tasty treats, Home Bake Value is the perfect choice for anyone looking for delicious, affordable bakery goods.

Hyper Tough

Hyper Tough is a Walmart-owned brand that offers a wide range of hand tools, hardware and storage, as well as some power tools, although the power tool lineup is gradually being replaced by Hart.

Kid Connection

Kid Connection, owned by Walmart, is a brand that is primarily used for children's toys. However, it also includes children's clothing and shoes to meet the needs of the entire family. With quality products from trusted brands, Kids Connection has become a go-to destination for parents and children alike.

Marketside

Marketside is a brand owned by Walmart and specializes in fresh foods, such as salads, soups, breads, and sandwiches, which can be found in various Walmart's deli, produce, and bakery departments. With Marketside, you can enjoy the convenience and quality of grocery items available at Walmart at an unbeatable value.

Mash-Up Coffee

Mash-Up Coffee, owned by Walmart, is the go-to provider for luxury coffee beans. Their products are made with the highest quality beans and are expertly crafted to provide a unique flavor that will tantalize your taste buds. So if you're looking for an amazing cup of coffee, Mash-Up Coffee is the perfect choice.

Motile

Motile, the brand owned by Walmart, has a wide variety of products ranging from laptops to miscellaneous tech and tech accessories.

Oak Leaf

Oak Leaf is a brand owned by Walmart, which produces and bottles low-cost wines for approximately $3 per bottle. With its affordable price, Oak Leaf has become a popular choice for those looking for an enjoyable bottle of wine without breaking the bank.

Onn

Onn is a brand owned by Walmart that offers a variety of consumer electronics, computer accessories, audio/visual accessories, and phone/tablet accessories.

Our Finest/Notre Excellence

Our Finest/Notre Excellence is a brand of upscale chip, cookie, frozen dinner and more products that are owned by Walmart and exclusively sold in Canada. It's comparable to World Table and all the products produced under this brand are made in Canada just for Walmart Canada customers.

Overpowered

Overpowered, owned by Walmart, is a brand offering pre-built gaming desktops and laptops. Whether you're a beginner or a pro, Overpowered has something for all levels of gamers.

Ozark Trail

Ozark Trail is a brand owned by Walmart, specializing in outdoor equipment and footwear. Its origins are deeply rooted in the Ozark mountain region in northwest Arkansas where the Walmart Home Office is located. Thus, Ozark Trail provides consumers with reliable, quality products made with the knowledge of the region ingrained in their making.

Price First/Prix Budget

Price First/Prix Budget, owned by Walmart, is the brand for all your entry-level everyday needs. It provides products similar to those from Walmart's Great Value line, but at an even lower price point.

Protege

Protege is a Walmart-owned brand offering luggage and travel accessories for a great value. Featuring a range of products including carry ons, wheeled luggage, and a variety of other items, Protege provides travelers with top-notch luggage and travel accessories, all at an affordable price.

ReliOn

ReliOn, owned by Walmart, is a well-known brand that specializes in diabetes care products. Their range of products include blood glucose and blood pressure monitors, medical thermometers, portable humidifiers and replacement filters for both ReliOn and name brand humidifiers.

Spark Imagine

Spark Imagine is the perfect choice for parents looking for simple, high-quality children's toys. Owned by Walmart with comparable features to Melissa and Doug, you can be sure that Spark Imagine toys will bring hours of fun and delight.

SuperTech

Walmart owns the SuperTech brand for motor oil, which is suitable for both gasoline and diesel engines. Additionally, the SuperTech brand is used on various other consumable car products, like oil filters, windshield wiper fluid, and transmission fluid.

Tasty

Walmart, in partnership with BuzzFeed, launched Tasty, a brand of kitchen tools. Furthermore, they introduced shoppable recipes connected to the Tasty cooking videos on BuzzFeed, allowing customers to easily purchase the ingredients seen in the videos.

The Office

Walmart owns the Office brand, which provides office supplies and stationery.

Uniquely J

Jet.com, a rapidly expanding e-commerce enterprise owned by Walmart, has debuted its "meticulously assembled" Uniquely J selection, which consists of 50 items including coffee, cleaning supplies, laundry products, pantry items, paper goods, and food storage products.

Walmart Family Mobile

Walmart Family Mobile is the only prepaid mobile phone service available from Walmart, and it utilizes the T-Mobile cellular network.

World Table

Walmart's exclusive World Table brand offers higher-end versions of items such as salsa, pizza, chips, cookies, etc., compared to Great Value.

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It's Nestle This Week, Boys…

Nestle Companies (They're Not Just Candy)

Bottled Drinks

Acqua Panna

Acqua Pann is a brand of natural mineral water with a heritage that dates back to 1564. Originating from the rolling hills of Tuscany, Acqua Pann's water — which is bottled at the source — is known for its unique flavor profile. As such, it has become the product of choice for chefs, sommeliers, and consumers worldwide.

Buxton

Buxton is a natural mineral water brand, which bottles water at the source in the historic spa town of Buxton, England. The brand was established in the 1870s and acquired by Nestlé in 1992. Today, it sells both still and sparkling bottled water.

Contrex

Contrex is a French brand of mineral water, which was acquired in 1992 by Nestlé Waters.

Boost

Boost is a nutritional drinks brand that offers a range of nutrient-rich drinks to support its customers' varying health and wellness goals. Its products include high-protein nutrition, everyday nutrition, diabetes-friendly nutrition, and high-calorie nutrition. The brand was founded in Leeds, England, in 2001 and acquired by Nestlé in 2006.

Other bottled water brands owned by Nestlé include:

    • Erikli
    • Essentia
    • Henniez
    • Hepar
    • La Vie
    • Impact
    • Levissima
    • Nałęczowianka
    • Nestea
    • Nestle Pure Life
    • Perrier
    • S. Pelligrino
    • Vittel

Cereal

GO-FREE Corn Flakes

Launched in 2014, Nestlé's GO-FREE Corn Flakes is a brand of gluten-free cereal, containing five essential vitamins and made with no artificial colors or flavors.

Cheerios

Cheerios is a popular brand of multigrain breakfast cereal, which was first introduced under the name "Cheerioats" in 1941. In the UK, Cheerios are marketed by Cereal Partners under the Nestlé brand, while in the U.S. and Canada, the brand is manufactured and marketed by General Mills.

Chocapic

Founded in 1984, Chocapic is a chocolate-flavored whole-grain breakfast cereal sold across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America.

Cini Minis or Cinnamon Toast Crunch

Founded in 1983, this brand of ultra-crunchy, cinnamon-flavored cereal is known as Cini Minis across Europe and Latin America, Croque-Cannelle in France, Cinnamon Toast Crunch in the U.S., and Curiously Cinnamon in the UK. The product is manufactured and marketed by both General Mills and Nestlé.

Other cereal brands owned by Nestlé include:

    • Fitness
    • Koko Crunch
    • Nesquik
    • Starbucks Coffee at Home
    • Shredded Wheat Original

Coffee and Other Hot Beverages

Blue Bottle Coffee

Blue Bottle Coffee is a specialty coffee roaster with cafes in Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago, as well as in China and Japan. It sells a range of coffee and coffee products online, including brew tools and drinkware.

Blue Bottle Coffee also offers a subscription service, which coffee lovers can tailor to their preferences. The coffee beans are roasted daily to order in small batches and shipped to customers directly from the roastery.

Other coffee brands owned by Nestlé include:

    • NesCafe
    • Nespresso
    • Milo
    • Roastelier

Chocolate, Confectionary, and Ice Cream

Aero

Aero launched in 1935, selling the world's first-ever bubbly chocolate. Today, the brand's melt-in-the-mouth products include Aero Melts sharing bags, standard chocolate bars, chocolate mousses, and hot chocolate and mocha powders.

Although Aero products were only on sale to U.S. consumers for a short period in the 1980s, the brand remains hugely popular overseas. In 2024, for example, Aero was voted one of the most popular chocolate bars in the UK.

Antica Gelateria Del Corso 

Antica Gelateria Del Corso uses only the finest Italian ingredients to produce an extensive range of authentic gelato and sorbet. The brand was founded in Parma in the early 20th century by Giuseppe Tanara, a young man with an unparalleled passion for ice cream making.

To this day, the brand maintains Tanara's commitment to perfection, continually fine-tuning its recipes and introducing new products.

Baci Perugina 

Baci (meaning "kisses") Perugina is an Italian brand of chocolate, which was developed in Perugia, Italy in 1922 by confectionery entrepreneur, Luisa Spagnoli. Today, it sells a range of milk, dark, and white chocolates, each filled with the brand's rich chocolate-hazelnut filling and a whole hazelnut and finished with a double coating of chocolate.

Cailler

Founded by François-Louis Caille in 1819, Cailler is Switzerland's oldest chocolate brand. The chocolatier operated independently for many decades before being acquired by Nestlé in 1929. Today, it sells a range of souvenir chocolates, chocolate bars, pralines, biscuits, and baking chocolate.

Drumstick

Drumstick manufactures a variety of frozen dessert-filled ice cream cones. The brand was founded almost by accident when I.C Parker, a candy factory worker, accidentally dropped an ice cream cone he was eating into a vat of chocolate, after which he retrieved it and placed it onto a counter covered in peanuts. The resulting product earned its brand name thanks to its resemblance to a chicken drumstick.

Other confectionary, chocolate, and ice cream brands owned by Nestlé include:

    • Extreme
    • Haagen-Dazs
    • Hsu Fu Chi
    • KitKat
    • La Laitiere
    • Lion Cereal
    • Maxibon
    • Milkybar
    • Movenpick
    • Munch
    • Nestle Cui Cui Shark
    • Nestle Les Recettes de l'Atelier
    • Orion
    • Quality Street
    • Smarties
    • Toll House
    • Garoto

Pet Care

Nestlé's pet care brands are marketed and manufactured by its subsidiary, Purina PetCare.

Alpo

Since its inception in 1936, this dog food brand has focused on developing simple and nutritious dog food. Today, it sells a range of wet and dry food made with high-quality protein sources and produced only in U.S. facilities.

Dentalife

Dentalife is a brand of dental dog chews. Its products are designed to help owners introduce a proper oral care routine for their pets, which can contribute to them living an overall healthier life.

Dog Chow

Founded in 1926, Dog Chow is a brand of dog food. The brand's dry and wet dog food recipes offer 100% complete and balanced nutrition for adult dogs using high-quality protein and no fillers.

Bakers

Bakers is a brand of dog food that produces dry food for puppies, adult dogs, small dogs, and senior dogs, as well as a range of dog treats. Bakers products are nutritionally balanced for a dog's daily needs and have no added artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.

Beggin'

Beggin' is a brand of dog food. Its dog treats, which are designed to look, smell, and taste like bacon, are made with real meat in U.S. facilities. Available flavors include original bacon, pizza, and loaded bacon and cheese fries.

Busy Bone 

Busy Bone is a brand of dog food that produces dog chew treats, including easily digestible rawhide alternatives and long-lasting beef hide chew bones. Its products contain real meat and are made with no artificial FD&C colors.

Cat Chow 

Cat Chow is voted the #1 dry cat food brand in America. It sells a range of dry cat food products that cater to cats of all ages and pets with sensitive stomachs, hairballs, joint problems, and compromised immune systems. All Cat Chow products are packed with nutrients, including real protein and essential vitamins and minerals.

Other pet food brands owned by Nestlé include:

    • Fancy Feast
    • Felix
    • Friskies
    • Gourmet
    • Lily's Kitchen
    • Merrick
    • Pro Plan Veterinary Diets
    • Purina
    • Purina Pro Plan
    • Tidy Cats
    • Supercoat
    • Terra Canis

Food Cupboard, Frozen Food, Supplements, and Baby Products

Buitoni

In 1827, Giulia Buitoni and her husband, Giovan Battista Buitoni, opened a small pasta shop in Sansepolcro, Italy, quickly attracting buyers from afar. Today, the brand's product range includes pasta, sauces, pestos, and grated cheese.

Carnation

Carnation was founded by Swiss-born Johann Baptist Meyenberg in 1899 after he emigrated to the U.S. to pursue his business dream. Founded as the Pacific Coast Condensed Milk Company, Carnation's first product was canned evaporated milk.

Nestlé acquired the Carnation Company in 1984 and later brought all of its milk products under the Carnation brand name. Today, it sells original, vegan, and fat-free condensed milk and a range of dessert sauces, caramels, evaporated milk, and creams.

Compleat

Compleat is a nutritionally complete formula made with real fruit and vegetable ingredients and a delicious fruity flavor for tube feeding or drinking. It is the only nutritionally complete solution that contains ingredients derived from food.

Compleat launched its first blenderized tube-feeding formula in 1971 and now produces 16 formulas designed to support a wide range of nutritional applications.

Coffee Mate

Coffee Mate is a lactose and cholesterol-free creamer designed to make coffee richer, smoother, and creamier. Coffee Mate's product range includes liquids, powders, and concentrates, as well as reduced fat and sugar-free options.

DiGiorno

DiGiorno was introduced by Kraft Foods in 1995, selling a range of frozen pizzas with a doughy crust that rose when baked. Providing a welcome change to flat, crunchy pizza crusts, to which consumers had previously been limited, DiGiorno became the top-selling frozen pizza brand in the U.S. within three years.

The brand was acquired by Nestlé in 2010 for $3.7 billion in cash. Today, its product range includes rising crust, stuffed crust, croissant crust, thin crust, Detroit-style, and gluten-free pizzas.

Other food cupboard/frozen food brands owned by Nestlé include:

    • Garden Gourmet
    • Gerber
    • Hot Pockets
    • Lean Cuisine
    • Life Cuisine
    • Maggi
    • Minor's
    • Thomy
    • Stouffer's
    • Sweet Earth

Supplements

Vital Proteins

Founded in 2013 by Kurt Seidensticker, Vital Proteins is one of the nation's most popular collagen brands, designed to support healthy skin, hair, nails, bones, and joints. Its product range includes Collagen Peptides for hair, skin, and nails, Marine Collagen to promote youthful skin, and Collagen Creamer, which is added to coffee.

Nestlé acquired a majority stake in Vital Proteins in 2020 and completed the final acquisition in 2022. The brand continues to run out of Chicago, Illinois. Other supplements brands owned by Nestlé include:

    • Vitaflo
    • Peptamen
    • Garden of Life
    • Nature's Bounty
    • Persona
    • Resource
    • Solgar

Baby Products

Cerelac

Cerelac is a brand of instant wheat-based cereal. Its products serve as supplementary food for infants aged 6-24 months, providing essential nutrients to aid growth and development when milk is no longer the sole item in a child's diet.

Other baby product brands owned by Nestlé include:

    • NaturNes
    • Nido
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Let The Bezos Boycott Begin!

Guys, it's officially the start of boycott Amazon week, but if you happen to want to expand it to include the Washington Post or Whole Foods, or whatever else that man has his hands in, do it.

I'm being serious about this: if you really want to make him feel it, cancel your Amazon Prime Memberships. That is where he lives, if those numbers drop, he will notice; everything else is a business fluctuation, and honestly he does not expect the WaPo to make a dime at this point.

OK, you have your assignment: make Bezos sweat.